Best performances in 2008

My batting average for "best bets" in 2008 is not good. As it turns out, only the first two of my favorites predicted in this space for 2008 are on my final list. I'm glad I'm not a gambling sort.

"BALANCHINE, THARP AND SINATRA," Feb. 12 and 13. Miami City Ballet and Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. We expected to be knocked out by "La Valse," which the Miami City Ballet can dance to a sinister turn, but found the orchestra more exciting. We fell for another program work, "Nine Sinatra Songs," a Twyla Tharp meld of impossible moves and sexy pairings perfect for Miami City Ballet.

SPRING CLASSICAL SPECIAL CONCERT, 8 p.m. May 9 and 10 or FALL FESTIVAL CONCERT NO. 2, Nov. 21, the Phil. Guest artist Joyce Yang and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra dove headlong into the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in a performance that left the audience on its feet and shouting. Do we have to choose between hers and Howard Shelley's inspired Saint-Saens Piano Concert No. 2, which had the same effect?

Some would vote for Shelley because he conducted as well as played. Some would vote for Yang because she did not.

"LA TRAVIATA," Opera Naples, Jan. 25 and 27, Gulf Coast High School Performing Arts Center. This largely local cast forged a cohesive, melodic and spirited work, driven by Grant Youngblood as the self-righteous father, Steffanie Pearce as Violetta and strong chorus work with music director William Noll. Handsome sets from the Shreveport Opera cemented the elegance.

Opera Naples' performance of "Libiamos (The Drinking Song") lives on on YouTube:

"MANON LESCAUT," Feb. 16, selected theaters around Florida. Tenor Marcello Giordani, whose voice isn't always a sure thing, was at his best, and soprano Karita Mattila was in superlative form in this lush Metropolitan Opera staging of the Puccini opera.

It marked the date we knew we were addicted: The Bell Tower Cinemas in Fort Myers sold out its showings, so we actually drove to Miami to see it. The Hollywood 20 is now offering them in Naples; buy your tickets in advance if you want a seat. See more:

www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_next.aspx

— Harriet Howard Heithaus, hkheithaus@naplesnews.com

---

NAPLES MUSIC FESTIVAL, April 6, Third Street South. The Gin Blossoms headlined, but most people were there to hear the classic rock. About 4,000 fans packed Third Street South to hear members of the Eagles, Journey, Boston, Santana and Steppenwolf play their biggest hits. It was like listening to a classic rock radio station. Two hours later the concert shifted the dial to the ‘90s where former hit makers the Rembrandts and the Gin Blossoms put on mostly best-of sets. The only real disappointment from the show was Gary Puckett, who should have just stuck to the casino circuit.

CHRIS ISAAK, Sept. 9, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Though he was looking a little worse for the wear, Chris Isaak seems to have taken James Brown's title of "hardest working man in show business." His concert was high-energy, even during the sad songs. And his voice was almost as smooth and easy as it was 20 years ago.

KID ROCK, May 8, Germain Arena. Throughout his hour and a half concert, Kid Rock managed to seamlessly jump between genres, song styles and tempos. He could sing a country-esque kiss-off to ex-wife Pam Anderson and follow it up with one of his boisterous rap numbers. And he did it with an authenticity that could rarely be questioned. I went in skeptical that Kid Rock had anything left in the tank, but left a believer.

— Jonathan Foerster, jfoerster@naplesnews.com

---

It was a healthy and well-rounded year for jazz and cabaret in Naples. The jazz scene, in particular, when you add in both national attractions and local performers, continues to thrive. While there is room for much more, there is more superior jazz to be heard here than in many major cities.

TONY BENNETT, March 24, Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Bennett's jazz-oriented performance defined the words timeless and ageless. And, yes, given his years, it was miraculous as well. His 90 minutes of singing was strong and swinging. His a cappella version of "Fly Me to the Moon," performed without a mike, was astounding.

FRANK SINATRA, JR., March 31, Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Frank Sinatra Jr. has overcome the stigma of being the son of "you know who" and has found his own way and his own style. Sure, he can emulate the old man when duty calls, but his "Sinatra Sings Sinatra" show has as much music culled from Junior's own, impressive book as it does hits from "Old Blue Eyes." As much of an attraction as the boy singer is the tremendously swinging big band that Sinatra carries on the road with him.

RAMSEY LEWIS, Feb. 6, Philharmonic Center for the Arts. In his younger days, jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis led a popular trio in Chicago that recorded a series of funky and popular recordings for the Argo and Cadet record labels. He recorded two singles in the mid-1960s — "Hang on Sloopy" and "The In Crowd" — that surprisingly became million sellers. Lewis could have easily rested on his laurels by sticking to the style that made him famous, but in his appearance at the Phil this year, he demonstrated that he has evolved into a modern, refreshing and most individual improviser, with well-integrated influences of classical music.